I am writing this letter concerning the Board of Pardons and Parole process. I have a lengthy criminal record and have completely turned my life around. I am 43 years old and all of my convictions are drug use-related: from theft to burglary to possession. For almost 20 years, I had arrests and/or convictions almost every year.

However, since 2012, I have [a clean record], have coached baseball for 4- to 6-year-olds in Newington, and entrusted with their safety and introduction to the game. I have volunteered in my community, voted, paid my taxes, and have gone above and beyond since getting sober. Yet, I was still denied a full pardon hearing.

I am unable to get a meaningful job making good money, although I am qualified. When the subject of my background check comes up, it puts a nail in that coffin almost immediately with any career. My time is running out. Everyone knows how it is once you’re past 45: Most people don’t even want to hire you unless you have a big-time degree, which I can’t afford.

I have done everything, and the state of Connecticut just refuses to get me out of this system once and for all. I paid a big debt to society and I’ve paid my dues. I just don’t know if this process is beneficial to society, when a person [gets his life in order].